New Obama video reminds voters Romney is 'severely conservative'

Washington
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President Barack Obama's campaign released a new video on Wednesday that portrays the likely GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney as a "severely conservative" politician who does not care about the middle class and has promised to end Planned Parenthood.

The video titled "Mitt Romney: Memories to Last a Lifetime," recalls some of Romney's past verbal gaffes, saying: "As Republicans settle on a nominee...let's take a look at some of the unforgettable moments from this unforgettable primary."

The video shows Romney, saying, "corporations are people, my friend," and "I like being able to fire people who provide services to me." It also shows Romney at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February, saying, "I was a severely conservative Republican governor."

ABC News comments that the video reflects Obama's campaign strategy of working to make it harder for Romney to execute his anticipated "Etch-A-Sketch" transition to the political center in the general election campaign, by reminding voters of the things he said while pandering to conservative political tastes during the primary elections. The Washington Post comments on the thrust of the video: "As candidates turn from the primary to the general election campaign, they will often moderate their positions or soften their rhetoric, and this is a particularly difficult dance for Romney, who has notably shifted to the right during the course of his political career and struggled to earn the trust of conservatives because of it."

The video, addressing women, one of Obama's key constituencies, asks: "Remember what he (Romney) said about women's health?" It then shows Romney saying the Supreme Court should overturn the Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the U.S. Romney is also shown saying he will end Planned Parenthood and that he is in favor of exempting religious institutions from a mandate that requires employers to provide health insurance that covers contraception.

Viewers are also reminded what Obama said about housing. Romney, in October 2011, said in Nevada, a state with the highest foreclosure rate in the U.S., that foreclosure should "run its course and hit the bottom." The video also refers to Romney's op-ed piece: "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt," and others, including his criticism of Obama's decision to withdraw troops from Iraq, and his opposition to the DREAM Act that would allow children of undocumented immigrants opportunity of acquiring citizenship.

The Hill reports Romney's campaign has responded through spokeswoman Andrea Saul. She said: "It's no surprise; with the worst job creation record in modern history and a platform of raising taxes, that President Obama would try to distract Americans from the real issues. Unemployment is up, incomes are down and gas prices are through the roof." She asserted: "Mitt Romney is running to get Americans back to work and the country back on track."